These three players can replace Jasprit Bumrah in Champions Trophy

Team India is confronted with a major concern as star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah struggles with a back injury ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Bumrah picked up the injury during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney last month. Though he is in India’s provisional squad, his final participation depends on medical clearance.

With the February 12 deadline to finalise the squad approaching, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is racing against time to assess his fitness. Losing Bumrah would be a major blow, as he is India’s key pacer in big tournaments. His last ODI was the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, where he took two wickets, and his latest white-ball match was the T20 World Cup final in June 2024 against South Africa.

Players who could replace Bumrah in the Champions Trophy 2025

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur is in top form in the Ranji Trophy, performing well with both bat and ball. In the quarter-final against Haryana, he took six wickets in the second innings. So far, he has grabbed 30 wickets in eight matches at an average of over 22. He has also contributed with the bat, scoring 396 runs in nine innings at an average of over 45.

Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana has made an impressive start to his international career across all formats. He bowls at speeds above 140 km/h and troubles batters with his bounce. In his ODI debut against England, he took three wickets. While he was expensive in the second match, his aggressive bowling style makes him an exciting option.

Prasidh Krishna

At 6 feet 2 inches, Prasidh Krishna brings extra bounce and pace. He shone in the Sydney Test against Australia, taking six wickets. In ODIs, he has claimed 29 wickets in 17 matches. With 120 wickets in 70 List-A games, he has experience in high-pressure matches.

The Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 to March 9.